Dorn was born in Luling, Texas, the son of Allie Lee (née Nauls) and Fentress Dorn Jr.[2][better source needed] He grew up in Pasadena, California, where he studied radio and television production at Pasadena City College. Following his graduation, he pursued a career in music as a performer with several different rock music bands, traveling to San Francisco and then back to Los Angeles. Outside of the Star Trek franchise, Dorn has appeared in the television series CHiPs (1979–1982), and has had